Dec. 20, 2015
University Park, Pa.- Lindsey Spann and Brianna Banks combined for 40 points and four players scored in double-figures as a balanced effort led the Penn State Lady Lions to an 83-46 win over Sacred Heart Sunday afternoon at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Banks, who scored a career-high 26 points last week vs. St. Bonaventure, didn't wait long to get going Sunday afternoon, as she scored six of her 17 points to help Penn State jump out to a quick 8-2 lead three minutes into the game. Her nine first quarter points sparked a 22-15 lead after one.
"Our kids were ready to go," head coach Coquese Washington said, despite some technical difficulties with the clock delaying the start by a few minutes.
"They just stayed loose and once the game got going were able to start off strong," she added. "It was probably one of the most important things coming into this game to start strong, because we had been talking about that all week in practice."
While Banks got the scoring going early, it was Spann who led PSU on the day with 23 points, including 12 in the first half, in the win.
"I just tried to stay aggressive and my teammates were finding me the ball," Spann said following the win. "I was just trying to attack the basket and find open spots."
Spann wasn't the only aggressive Lady Lion, as her 23 points were followed by Banks with 17, and Teniya Page and Kaliyah Mitchell with 15 apiece. Mitchell also chipped in with 11 rebounds for the double-double.
Having all four play well was a huge plus for the home team.
"It's really important (to have that balance) and I think that speaks to our aggressiveness," Washington said. "We have to be aggressive offensively and I thought Teniya Page set the pace for that early with the way she was attacking and pushing the ball in transition."
"It's a lot of fun that everyone's involved, especially getting up and down the floor" added Page.
The Lady Lions used that aggressiveness, and a 9-2 scoring run to open the second quarter, to create a 31-17 double-digit lead they would not give back the rest of the afternoon.
A strong defensive effort complimented the balanced offense, as Sacred Heart turned the ball over 11 times in the first half against PSU's defense as opposed to only taking the ball from the Lady Lions four times. The margin helped give Penn State a 39-28 lead heading into the halftime break.
"I think it's really important for us to limit our turnovers," Spann said. "It gives up more possessions and we can take advantage of the defense if we get stops and go produce in transition."
Spann stayed strong in the second half as she ended the third quarter with a layup to give her 21 points on the day This was the second time this season she hit the 20-point mark in a game, as her basket pushed Penn State's lead to 24. Spann's previous season-high was 20 vs. Virginia Tech.
That margin heading into the fourth left no doubt of the outcome as PSU outscored Sacred Heart 21-8 in the final frame to secure the win.
The victory this afternoon was the final non-conference test for Penn State this regular season, as they will have an 11-day layoff before opening Big Ten play.
"it's great to end on a positive note (heading into the layoff)," Washington said. "We certainly had our share of adversity during the non-conference season so to end on a note like this where we played fairly well and have a lot of things to build on, I think that's a good thing."
The Lady Lions begin the Big Ten portion of their schedule with a 2:00 p.m. tip-off vs. Northwestern at the Bryce Jordan Center on December 31st.